Download Breast cancer fact sheet

Breast Cancer and You:
What You Need to Know
What is breast cancer?
Cancer is a disease in which cells in the body grow out of control. When cancer starts in the breast, it is called breast
cancer. The breast is made up of three main parts: glands, ducts, and connective tissue.
Sometimes breast cells become abnormal and grow faster than normal cells. These extra cells form a mass called a
tumor. Some tumors are “benign,” or not cancerous. Other tumors are “malignant,” meaning they are cancerous and
have the ability to spread to other parts of the breast and body and disrupt normal functions in those areas.
Who gets breast cancer?
All women are at risk for breast cancer.
Men can also get breast cancer, but this
is rare. Not counting skin cancer, breast
cancer is the most common cancer in
women of all combined major racial
and ethnic groups in the United States.
Among Hispanic women, it is the most
common cause of death from cancer,
and it is the second most common
cause of death from cancer among
white, black, Asian or Pacific Islander,
and American Indian or Alaska Native
women. In 2006, (the most recent
year for which statistics are available),
191,410 women were diagnosed with
breast cancer, and 40,820 women died
from the disease.† Although more white
women get breast cancer, more black
women die from it.
†U.S. Cancer Statistics Working Group. United States
Cancer Statistics: 1999–2006 Incidence and Mortality
Web-based Report. Atlanta (GA): Department of Health
and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention, and National Cancer Institute; 2010.
How can I prevent it?
What raises a woman’s
chance of getting breast
cancer?
Several factors may affect your risk of
developing breast cancer, including—
• Getting older.
• Not having children, or having your
first child later in life.
• Starting your first menstrual period
at an early age.
• Beginning menopause at a
late age.
• Having a personal history of
breast cancer or certain benign
breast diseases, such as atypical
ductal hyperplasia.
• Having close family relatives
(such as a mother, sister, father,
or daughter) who have had
breast cancer.
• Having a genetic condition, such as
certain mutations in your BRCA1 or
BRCA2 genes.
Scientists are studying how best to
prevent breast cancer. Ways to help
lower your risk of getting breast cancer
include—
• Having been treated with radiation
therapy to the breast or chest.
• Stay physically active by getting
regular exercise.
• Using hormone replacement therapy
for a long time.
• Maintain a healthy weight.
• Using oral contraceptives.
• Avoid using hormone replacement
therapy (HRT), or find out the risks
and benefits of HRT and if it is right
for you.
• Drinking alcohol.
• Being overweight, particularly
after menopause.
• Being physically inactive.
• Limit the amount of alcohol that
you drink.
1-800-CDC-INFO (232-4636) • www.cdc.gov/cancer/breast
What are the symptoms?
When breast cancer starts out, it
is too small to feel and does not
cause signs and symptoms. As it
grows, however, breast cancer
can cause changes in how the
breast looks or feels. Symptoms
may include—
• A new lump in the breast.
• A lump that has changed.
• A change in the size or shape
of the breast.
• Pain in the breast or nipple that
does not go away.
• Flaky, red, or swollen skin
anywhere on the breast.
• A nipple that is very tender or
that suddenly turns inward.
• Blood or any other type of fluid
coming from the nipple that is
not milk when nursing a baby.
If you have any of these symptoms,
talk to a health care professional.
They may be caused by something
other than cancer, but the only
way to know is to see a health
care professional.
mammogram
What you should know about getting a. . .
What should I expect during a mammogram?
The mammography machine is a special X-ray machine. One
of your breasts will be placed on a plate. Another plate will
press down on your breast from above. The plates will hold
your breast still while the X-ray is being taken. These steps are
repeated to get a view of the other breast. The plates are then
turned to get side views of each breast.
Is there a test that can find breast
cancer early?
Mammograms are the best tests for finding breast cancer
early. Mammograms are a series of X-ray pictures of the breast
that allow doctors to look for early signs of breast cancer,
sometimes up to three years before it can be felt. When breast
cancer is found early, treatment is most effective, and many
women go on to live long and healthy lives.
When should I get a mammogram?
Most women should have their first mammogram at age 50
and then have another mammogram every two years until age
74. Talk to your health professional if you have any symptoms
or changes in your breast, or if breast cancer runs in your
family. He or she may recommend that you have mammograms
before age 50 or more often than usual.
What happens if my mammogram
is abnormal?
If your mammogram is abnormal or more tests are required,
do not panic. Many women need additional tests, and most are
not diagnosed with cancer. An abnormal mammogram does not
always mean you have cancer. It does mean that you will need
to have some additional X-rays or other tests before your doctor
can be sure. Other tests may include an ultrasound (picture
taken of the breast using sound waves) or a biopsy (removing
tissue samples to be looked at closely under a microscope).
You may be referred to a breast specialist or a surgeon,
because these doctors are experts in diagnosing
breast problems.
Although getting a mammogram only takes a few minutes,
you will feel some pressure while the plates are pressing on
your breast. Most women find it uncomfortable, and a few find
it painful. What you feel depends on the size of your breasts,
how much your breasts need to be pressed to get a good view,
the skill of the technologist, and where you are in your monthly
menstrual cycle, if you are still having periods.
After getting your mammogram, the technologist will check to
make sure your X-rays are of good quality. They cannot read
the X-ray or tell you the results. A radiologist will read your
mammogram. You may receive results immediately, or they
will be sent to you and your doctor within a few weeks. If your
mammogram is abnormal, you will likely hear from the facility
earlier. If you do not receive your results within 30 days,
you should contact your health care provider or the
mammography facility.
Where can I find more information about
breast cancer?
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:
1-800-CDC-INFO or www.cdc.gov/cancer
National Cancer Institute:
1-800-4-CANCER or www.cancer.gov
American Cancer Society:
1-800-ACS-2345 or www.cancer.org
People Living with Cancer/American Society
of Clinical Oncology:
1-888-651-3038 or www.plwc.org
Where can I find a free or low-cost mammogram?
If you have a low income, or do not have insurance, and are between the ages of 40 and 64, you may be able to get
a free or low-cost mammogram through the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program in your
community. To learn more, call 1-800-CDC-INFO or visit www.cdc.gov/cancer/nbccedp.
August 2010